Despite what the U.S. Supreme Court decided in its controversial Citizens United ruling of 2010, corporations are not people. They don’t have a beating heart or a conscience and they’re beholden to stockholders to pursue proﬁt over all else. At least, that was the dominant paradigm before the early 1980s, when award-winning author John Elkington began advocating for corporate social responsibility through the think tank he founded, now known as SustainAbility.

In the mid-1990s, Elkington began measuring corporate performance through a framework known as the triple bottom line that looked beyond profits, investment returns and shareholder value. Looking at comprehensive investment results—that included environmental and social metrics—this accounting framework has since been adopted by businesses, nonprofits and governments around the globe.

The outdoor gear companies featured in this guide epitomize the ethics of socially responsible accounting, putting the Earth and its inhabitants on the same playing field as stockholder returns and business growth. We support these companies because they care about the future of this planet, and so do we. – Tyler Allen

Building products designed to last, Klean Kanteen pursuessustainability through durability, evading single-use plastics so thatone bottle endures for years of abuse. The company innovatestoward environmental viability in their product design, materials,and energy usage, even carbon offsetting their shipping emissions.

Toad&Co Kennicott Shirt Jac

This stylish and eco-friendly button-up combines reclaimedItalian wool with a mix of other fibers processed via mechanical—instead of chemical—means. Warmth and class shake hands inthis moisture-wicking layer that you can sport for a day of winterexploration or a night on the town.

From its conception as Horny Toad in a Telluride, Colorado garagein 1991, Toad&Co has revolved around clothing with a conscience.Their products are made with recycled, non-GMO, organic materialswhen possible, and they use processes that respect naturalresources and safeguard wearers from harmful chemical exposure.

Matador Packable AdventureTravel Gear

Packable, sturdy and reusable: That’s the name
of the game for theFlatPak Soap Bar Case and Toiletry Bottle. Made of Cordura fabricsealed with a proprietary waterproofing coat, these TSA-approvedtravel pouches keep it light and simple for the minimalist traveler.

An obsession for traveling light fuels Matador’s product innovationsand they’re committed to helping you eliminate single-use travelcontainers to reduce your plastic footprint. With thoughtful designand durable materials, their goal is dependability without sacrificingthe versatility of the traveler. Your gear should last for one adventureafter another.

Patagonia’s story has been woven into the natural world from thestart, with its roots in founder Yvon Chouinard’s eponymousclimbing gear company, splitting off into a legendary apparel makerand evolving into the multifaceted organization of today. Causing nounnecessary harm and using business to create and implementsolutions to environmental crisis are two of the company’s core tenets.Their designs bend toward minimalism and simplicity to empowerhuman-powered sports in nearly every ecosystem of world.

Stio Lone Tree Shirt

Packable, sturdy and reusable: That’s the name
of the game for theBuilt as a salute to the classic field shirt, the Lone Tree Shirt earnspraise in wide-open spaces and offices alike, being professional andfunctional enough for both. The fabric’s breathability and stretch lendmountain innovation to the classic ranch-flannel look.

A portion of the proceeds from sales of the Lone Tree line are donatedto the American Prairie Reserve, a Montana-based nonprofit dedicatedto sustaining the longevity and biodiversity of the Northern Great Plains.For the Jackson, Wyoming-based company, success hinges onpreservation of the natural world. Stio sources environmentally friendlymaterials, fosters trust and accountability in their manufacturingpartnerships, and produces gear of the highest outdoor quality.

About

Mountain Outlaw magazine is published biannually and examines the lifestyle, culture and issues relevant to the Mountain West from the heart of the Yellowstone region.